The realisation dawned on him that if he failed to turn his life around then that life would be cut short. Last month, he completed the world's toughest running race, the unbelievably gruelling 156-mile Marathon des Sables. It crosses some of the world's harshest terrain in blistering heat up to 50 degrees.

Aged 38, Richard went out for his first run and could barely manage a mile.

He said: "Smoking had caused a noticeable decline in my physical capabilities and people would take the mickey out of me, saying I held the record for the most attempts to give up.

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"I was terrified on the start line because I'd never run that far before but joining Team Derby Runner made me aware of other races in the area."

In 2013, he ran the London Marathon, raising £1,100 for disability charity SENSE.

"I discovered that I could make a difference to other people suffering from ill health by doing increasingly idiotic or extreme things for charity.

Richard completing the Marathon des Sables

"I took up triathlon in 2014 and started to learn to swim effectively and rode a bike for the first time since I was a child."

Richard completed the gruelling Ironman Wales event in 2014, a race that involves a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run to finish.

One of the most difficult Ironman courses in the world, he raised over £2,000 in sponsorship for Rainbow’s Hospice which helps children with life-limiting conditions and supports their families. He did Ironman Wales a second time in 2016, raising £1,200 for disability charity SCOPE UK.

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His efforts culminated in April with the infamous Marathon Des Sables. A 156-mile race over six days across the Sahara desert. Competitors have to carry their own food and equipment.

Richard said: "It was the hardest thing I'd ever done both mentally and physically as well as being the greatest experience I've ever had. It was a strange contrast and very very raw.

Richard after completing the gruelling Marathon des Sables

"The journey nearly saw me fail on more than one occasion so when I did manage to drag myself through and crossed that finish line to receive my medal the emotions were indescribable. I burst into tears.

"My highest points were probably the feelings of elation on reaching the summits of the Jebel climbs as well as making seven friends for life - my tent mates who became a real band of brothers.